Chapter 2 BOUND TO THE DEVIL

Liana awoke in silk sheets that didn't belong to her.

For a moment, she forgot everything-until the weight of her reality came crashing back in.

The marriage. The threat. The man.

Dominic Stone.

The scent of his expensive cologne still lingered in the room like a warning. She sat up slowly, her head spinning as she took in her surroundings: marble floors, floor-to-ceiling windows that bathed the penthouse in golden morning light, and a velvet chair with her folded clothes placed neatly on it. Every inch of the room screamed luxury-and prison.

She wrapped her arms around herself. The silk nightgown clung to her skin like a secret she hadn't agreed to keep.

The door opened without a knock. She didn't need to look to know it was him.

"Sleep well, wife?" Dominic asked, walking in with two mugs of coffee.

He looked infuriatingly perfect. Tailored grey suit, no tie, shirt open just enough to be indecently charming. The world bowed at his feet, and he expected her to do the same.

"I'm not your wife," she muttered.

"You signed the papers. You said the vows. You wore the ring." He placed a mug on her nightstand. "That makes you mine."

Her eyes snapped to him. "You didn't marry me for love. You did it to control me. To punish me."

"And you agreed. To save your father. Or did you forget?"

"I didn't forget anything," she hissed. "Especially not the man you used to be."

He tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing. "That man died the day you disappeared."

She flinched.

Dominic leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "Why did you run, Liana?"

"I was seventeen!" she snapped. "I didn't run. I escaped. My father pulled me out before things got worse."

"Worse?" he repeated, voice like steel. "We were in love."

She looked away.

"We were stupid," she said softly. "And your world was dangerous. My father knew that. He wanted to protect me."

"And now look where you are," Dominic said, his voice low. "Right back in my world. But now it's mine. All of it. And you? You're mine, too."

Her heart thundered.

She hated him. She hated that he could still do this-still make her feel something between fear and... something else.

"You don't own me."

He smiled slowly. "We'll see about that."

---

Later that night, Liana stood in front of the mirror in a gown that fit too perfectly to be coincidence. Crimson silk, a dangerously high slit, and a low back that left little to the imagination. The dress screamed seduction-and submission.

One of Dominic's assistants had delivered it with a single line: "Mr. Stone expects you ready by seven."

She stared at her reflection.

Who was this woman?

When Dominic entered the room, he stopped mid-step.

His eyes dragged over her, slow and burning.

"You look..." he paused, voice husky. "Like trouble."

She didn't smile.

"Don't pretend you care," she said, turning away.

His hand caught her wrist gently, but firmly.

"I care more than you think," he murmured, voice deep. "That's the problem."

***

The gala was held in a luxury hotel ballroom, dripping with wealth and hypocrisy. She walked in on his arm like a perfectly trained puppet. Cameras flashed, people whispered, champagne flowed.

All eyes were on them.

"Smile," Dominic whispered through clenched teeth. "They're watching."

She forced a smile, teeth clenched.

They made their rounds-he shook hands, she nodded politely. Everyone wanted to know who she was, where she came from, how Dominic Stone had finally been tamed.

"Your wife is stunning," one woman cooed, her diamond necklace blinding.

"She's more than stunning," Dominic said, his hand sliding to the small of Liana's back. "She's dangerous. That's why I married her."

Liana looked up at him sharply.

But he didn't glance at her.

He just sipped his drink and smiled at the crowd.

***

Later, on the balcony away from the chatter, Liana exhaled and leaned against the railing.

The night air was cold, but her skin was burning.

"You always did like hiding from crowds," Dominic said, stepping beside her.

"And you always liked creating a scene," she replied.

He smirked. "I created a marriage. That's more than a scene."

She turned to face him. "You think this is marriage? This is control. Blackmail. You bought me, Dominic."

He moved closer, the space between them disappearing.

"I didn't buy you," he said softly. "I waited for years. I watched from the shadows while your father ruined lives-including mine. When I saw your name in that file, I knew fate had just handed me the final card."

"So I'm your revenge?"

"You're my obsession."

She froze.

He leaned in, his voice low and dangerous. "You always have been."

Her heart pounded in her chest, blood rushing in her ears.

He stepped back, just as her body betrayed her by swaying forward.

"We leave in ten," he said, like nothing happened.

And just like that, the war continued.